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"Well made"

Durable

Comfortable

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"Take a while to put on"

Invest in a pair ASAP

My first pair of navy converse have been a brilliant investment piece lasting me around 4 years with medium usage (couple of wears a month). I can wear them walking, on a night out, shopping, the possibilities are endless! I would say, however, that for sporting purposes like running they are not the most comfortable and do not opt for them in these circumstances.

I found I can wear my converse with almost any casual outfit thanks to the relaxed and low key design, I would not wear them to a more 'dressy' occasion although they would be remarkably more comfortable than heels! I would recommend not wearing them in rainy weather as although they are durable the canvas material they are made of means they aren't completely watertight as I discovered on numerous occasions! Despite this, in my experience they are not particularly smelly shoes which may be thanks to them being so lightweight, this also means they are easily slipped into an overnight bag or handbag!

For me the sizing of converse shoes fits like a dream, however I would advise trying them on before purchasing as this won't necessarily be the same for everyone!

This year I bought a white pair of converse high tops and was shocked by how quickly they became dirty, as one would expect with white footwear. This was easily fixed by one spin in the washing machine, adding to my admiration of these shoes and their canvas material.

At a very competitive price these shoes are a worthy investment thanks to their durability and also the comfort they provide.

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Get Yourself A Pair!!

Im not really a trainer wearing kind of girl in all honesty. Over the years when I've wanted some comfy footwear Ive always gone for some ballet flats or some flat boots rather than trainers - but since getting into a relationship with a guy who owns more trainers than I own stilettos my opinions have changed somewhat. I now own far too many trainers - most of which were bought for me as gifts by the other half - the most recent gift was some 'Converse All Star Hi-Tops' which Id been looking at for so long in the shops but never got the money to buy as a treat for myself. If I hadn't been already partially converted these would have done the trick all on their own because they seriously are the best looking and comfiest shoes I own without a doubt and seriously I think everyone - male & female - should own a pair of these versatile + everyday shoes, they really are worth every penny ... as long as unlike me you can limit yourself to just 1 or maybe 2 pairs lol!!

Useful Information:Price: My other half paid around £45 - but the prices varies depending on which style/colour you go for. Although mens & womens Hi-Tops cost the same.Stockists: I found my ideal pair in Foot Locker, but these are sold all over the place - Schuh & FootAsylum websites and stores definitely stock these.Colours: I think I've seen Hi-Tops in pretty much every colour you could imagine & a lot of patterns are available as well (my friend has Batman & The Joker ones which are ridiculously cool!) - I maybe played it a bit safe as I got Raspberry coloured which as you might guess is a very vivid & shocking pink, but everyone will certainly be able to find a pair that appeals to their sense of style from this range.Sizes: From the Schuh website it looks like these come in sizes 3-8 for women + men - although more sizes might be available in stores - and I do recommend trying them on. Also Converse DON'T have half sizes, not an issue for me but for friends of mine I know it has been.

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Appearance:

Converse shoes are instantly recognisable in my opinion and with quite a bright pair like the ones I own they are pretty hard to miss when I'm wearing them. Starting at the bottom these have an incredibly thick, white sole with a pretty impressive grip on them I've found - the thick sole on the outer means they are also pretty padded on the inside, which I'm sure you'll guess is only a good thing as it makes them very comfortable to wear and to walk long distances in. working the way up the shoe is where the fabric comes in - bright pink in my case with a contrasting white front and laces all the way up the front - which makes them stand out from the brightly coloured fabric and once again is very fitting with the brand. On the back of the shoe is the All*Star writing and on the inside foot on the fabric is the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Logo - that confuses me slightly as I cant understand why it isn't on the outside part of the shoe as when your wearing them both logos are facing inwards - so no-one can see them when they're on - not a massive problem but that confused me! Having said that I like the design of the shoes is perfect - I love that the laces and bottoms really stand out from the fabric and the added depth on the bottoms not only makes the shoes look good but makes them better for wearing and more durable as well for me. The design of the ones I have certainly attracted my attention when walking past Foot Locker - and I'm sure they would for many girls out there!!

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Sizing:

I think its important to write a section on this because Converse sizing can be slightly strange. I am and always have been a size 5 in any shoe be that trainers, boots, heels whatever but when it cam to trying these on I had problems. A size 5 was simply too small and a size 6 was too big - big problem as, as I mentioned they don't sell half sizes and I had fallen in love with them! Luckily the lady I spoke to in the shop recommended some cushioned in soles and having bought them mine now fit me perfectly - even without if I tie the laces SUPER tight so the sizing was a bit of a pain for me - and others have said the same. These trainers are definitely try before you buy as even if you definite about what size foot you are they might not fit - they didn't in my experience anyway. Don't buy online unless they are not your first pair and you know you size in Converse!!

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Wearing Them:

If you havent guessed yet I find these shoes incredibly comfortable and that alone makes them a joy to wear for me. The soles (with or without my in-soles) are very comfortable and cushioned due to them being slightly thicker than average and that means walking in these is very easy. They dont rub - even when you first buy and wear them and they never start to hurt or pinch your feet like other trainers and flats Ive attempted to walk long distances in. Some might argue that buying brightly coloured Hi-Tops will mean you cant wear them with as much as you could with plain black or white ones but this isnt the case for me. A simple t-shirt and skinny jeans is the look I normally go for with these as they are essentially a really casual shoe - and create enough of statement by themselves - helping to bring a bit of colour to my boring, casual clothes. Bright & comfy, wearing them is a joy for me - I even wore them with dresses and shorts while I was in Bulgaria and needed something flat for my nights out.

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Will They Last?

Ive seen a few reviews that say these are a massive no-no if its raining but I only tend to agree with this slightly. Yes in a major rainfall the fabric parts of the shoe would end up being totally ruined however I've been out in the rain wearing mine a few times and seen no change at all in the appearance or condition of them. The white bottoms look as if they would get dirty really quickly as well but any mud or dirt that's been on mine has been removed so quickly with a quick baby-wipe across them and they still look good as new after having them and getting a lot of wear out of them for about 6 months now so in my opinion as long as you don't wear them out in torrential downpours these shoes should last a really long time before any scuffs or bad dirt appears - in that sense they are well worth the money as you will certainly get enough wear out of them.

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Final Bits:

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Converse Hi-Tops to anyone, regardless of gender or colour preference - although obviously I think the Raspberry coloured ones are worth buying!! If you want some long lasting, comfortable and great designed shoes then look no further, I'm only going to continue adding to my collection with the DC comics range coming to my wardrobe next and I think everyone should own at least one pair of these amazing shoes!!

Thanks For Reading.

x0 Salz 0x

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An amazing pair of shoes that will never get old!

When it comes to comfy shoes, in my personal opinion you can't beat a pair on trainers. Over the years I've been through many different types of trainers for wearing outside of work or school - and it wasn't until I was about 14 or 15 that I discovered the love of baseball boots. My first pair being a random pair from a shop - at that point I hadn't discovered converse, but it was an imminent discovery, much to my parent's dismay!

~*~ Chuck Taylor All-Stars ~*~

These shoes were first produced in 1917 called All -Star, as a way to try and capture the basketball shoe market. Chuck Taylor, who at the time was a basketball player and a shoe salesman for converse improved the design and became the shoes spokesperson in 1920. It wasn't however though until after World War II that the toe caps and laces changed to white on the shoes, before then they were all black, white with blue and red trim or an all-black leather version. The shoes have changed a lot over the years, and they have become far more popular just recently with the new colours and varieties available - even the 10th Doctor David Tennant wore them while he was in charge of the Tardis so they can't be too bad!

~*~ Why I Love Mine ~*~

I'm on my second and third pair of converse at the minute, admittedly I had one pair for about 4 years, even though by the time I ditched them they had holes in and let's put it this way they weren't pink anymore - they were the comfiest pair of shoes I owned and I wasn't going to give them up without a fight. In the end though I had to get rid of them, and did get another pair all black with pink trim for home wear, but I also own a totally black pair for work - which considering I work on a ward in a hospital it's important to have something comfortable on your feet.

Converse come in many different varieties, from all leather, to all canvas, and the variety that are low round your ankles. The soles are always made from rubber, and there are usually different colour toe caps to the actual colour of your canvas. On my work pair, they are all black, no white toe caps (well if they were I'd not be allowed to wear them.) The toe caps aren't especially thick but they do protect me nicely at work if someone drops something on my toes, or when I'm walking around and my friends kids decide to step on me! I don't think they're meant to be a protective shoe but those toe caps do help! So not only do you get the toe caps in them you get a supportive rubber area at the back of your heel, which while the shoes are still relatively new is such a comfy feature and gives the shoe some shape, one thing I've never encountered with any of my converse is rubbing on the backs of my ankles like some shoes do. So they are incredibly comfortable, until it gets a big dislodged and sits in random places in the back of your shoe, in my first pair they got so old I had ended up with the panel getting folded in half and it became almost impossible to wear them in the end. I think the fact that I pulled them up with the back of the shoe without undoing the laces, contributed to the death of my pink converse, but then it's a warning for everyone!

Another thing with converse that annoy me, is that you have two holes on the side of the shoes - which if you go out in them in the rain, you will get water in if you step in puddles. In converse I avoid the rain like the plague because the canvas does get wet quite easily, they don't get your feet really wet, but you will find damp patches on your socks, I normally find mine at the front and back of my feet but nothing in between.

Aside from that these shoes are really comfortable, with thick rubber soles so standing on things you'll barely feel them, they're a really level platform when you're walking as well, the fact that the hi-tops come up to your ankles when you have them tied up tight to the top they give a good support for your ankles too - which for me is a benefit with a dodgy ankle and walking a lot having some material holding it all in place makes life a bit easier for me. The fact that I can wear these shoes for an entire day without feeling like I need to take them off and rest my feet, makes them more than worth the money. They are easy to sponge clean too, I wouldn't put them in the washing machine due to the inside sole becoming misshapen, but clean them with a sponge and let them dry and they'll look as good as new. Laces are replaceable with whatever colour you fancy, and the holes are metal rimmed so are easy to thread, the amazing colours of the canvas now means you can have some amazing designs and if you have the time and the money to wait, you can design your own converse on the website and have them delivered however you want them! I've never had a time where the soles of my shoes have come away from the actual shoe either so what ever glue they've used to stick them to the shoe is good stuff.

I make my converse last a couple of years with a good amount of wear. Some people like to make sure they never look rough, but either way they are a comfy shoe that can be worn with almost everything in a lot of situations (to be honest I'd wear mine under a wedding dress if I had the chance!) - so if you have been debating a pair of these, try some grab some in a sale, you won't regret it!

~*~ Price and Availability ~*~

Try Office, Schuh, Converse website, Amazon and in some sports shops for these shoes. They vary in price depending on what style you have, but they start at about £35 and upwards, they are available in men's, women's and children's sizes. Even for babies if you look in the right places, so they might seem expensive but they are well worth it for a few years' worth of comfortable wear and looking good!

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Amazing shoe, would recommend these time and time again!!

I purchased my black Converse Hi tops way back in 2001 when i started college, the programme Jackass was massive at the time and i absolutely loved the main star of the show Johnny Knoxville, who was never seen without his hi tops! I got them for £25 and loved them, i practically lived in them through my whole college time.

The sole of the shoe is thick rubber and the main part is canvas, they have the all star logo on the inner ankle part. They are very hard wearing and are machine washable, great for me as i was doing art at college so they regularly got covered in paint, glue and clay! They are not waterproof so if its raining you do get soggy socks!

They are quite stiff when you first wear them but after a few months the canvas became very soft and are now the most comfortable trainers ever, i still wear them to this day 11 years on! They do have a couple of rips and tears, one on both shoes on the outer edge where they bend when i walk and one to both shoes at the back but this is my own doing due to removing them by holding the back of the shoe down with my other foot! The rubber sole has also got a small tear on the outer edge where the shoe bends as i walk. The material is now more of a dark grey than black but at 11 years old these are to be expected! The soles of the shoe only have slight wear to them which is very surprising considering their age!

I am now the proud owner of 4 pairs of converse hi tops, black, pink, white and green all purchased throughout the past 11 years and i intend to purchase many more in the future, these shoes go with everything from skinny jeans through to baggy jeans, skirts and dresses.

I love them so much i even did a project on them at college when given the task of writing an essay and producing art about "Your most treasured possession" ...ah to go back to the days of my favourite thing being a pair of trainers! :D When doing this project i did lots of research into the shoes and found out the Converse Rubber Shoe Company had been in business since 1908! The All Star trainer was introduced in 1917, then in 1921 a basketball player Charles H "chuck" Taylor when to them about his sore feet..he was given a job promoting the shoe and his signature was added to them and is still there now " The Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars"

I am now 27 and will have these shoes for as long as they are wearable, Johnny Knoxville once said "you should wear converse until they literally fall of your feet" and i agree with him, they are far too comfortable to throw away because of minor tears and rips! I am now the proud mother of a little girl who has little mini converse because she wants to be "cool" like mummy! The next generation of converse wearers!

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chuck taylor converses, supportive and just as comfortable

I have 2 pairs of converse, a low white pair, and this hi top pair in black. Converses are a really comfortable, versatile shoe that can be worn every day and although they look quite sporty they can be mixed and matched to wear with skirts and trousers etc. I wear mine with skinny jeans as they are

They have a thick rubber sole, and a material upper which means these shoes aren't waterproof. They are laced up so means they can be tightened to comfort to give the shoe more support. Likewise, being a hi-top means this shoe covers my ankles and gives me more support, but I also tend to wear them much more in winter as they are far too warm for summer weather!

The hi-top converses costs about £35 but as my mate is a manager of an office shoe store I always nab mine with her staff discount! For the price though, I don't think its half bad as they are good quality, seeing as I have had my pair for almost 3 years. They do start to look battered and bruised but this is principally why I got a black pair so even with wear and tear they don't look too bad still!

One small niggle with converses is that as a brand new pair they rub in my heel something rotten. Ouch! I overcome this by getting my sister who is 2 shoe sizes larger than me to wear them in for 10 minutes and this makes them a lot better in no time.

Overall, I would definitely recommend converses as a comfortable and stylish footwear piece I think everyone should own!

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The classic Converse design!

This is my third Converse shoe review, which should be a testament in itself as to how much I love these shoes! I have owned several pairs of these shoes, including two of the Hi Top version, in grey and blue. The Hi Top version of the shoe is the original style of the shoe, which was intended to be a Basketball shoe when first released. The shoes will again set you back around £35 depending on where you buy them from, they can normally be found slightly cheaper online.

As with the traditional Converse shoe, the Hi Top has the thick rubber sole and rubber cap over the toe. The shoes lace up from just above the toe and lace up to the ankle. The shoe is made of fabric and can be bought in a variety of colours and designs. The shoe can be washed on a cool wash and air dried to maintain them, which means that if you go for walk in the mud you can make them as new again afterwards!

These are just as comfortable as the other Converse to wear, they are great for everyday use and also for days when you may be out doing more walking etc. The only problem I personally find with this design, which to be honest isn't really a problem, is that they look a bit funny if worn with skirts etc, as they cut the leg off at the ankle which for those of us who aren't towering tall can make us look even shorter! As I said though, this isn't really a problem because if you want to wear a skirt you can wear some lo tops instead!

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I love my Converse!!

I've owned several pairs of Converse, the most recent being worn to death before they eventually got chucked out due to holes round the edge of the sole.

My most recent pair were a gorgeous lilac colour which gradually got turned to a browny grey lilac colour as they got worn everyday for several years! The main drawback I have found with Converse is that they get marked very easily in the mud and they are *NOT* waterproof leaving you with uncomfortably wet feet in adverse weather conditions.

--Hi top or low top?--

This basically refers to the design of the shoe. The hi top shoes that I am reviewing are a boot like shape, with the top of the shoe covering the ankle, whereas the low tops are like a regular trainer. These are both made from the classic Converse light canvas material.

--Pricing and Availability--

Converse are priced between £35 and £50 depending on where you look, whether they are on special offer, what design they are, whether they are hi top or low top and if they are a limited edition.You can design your own shoe on the Converse website which I have looked into for my next pair! This involves selecting the colour of each individual flap of the shoe.

You can buy Converse for a good price at shoe shops such as Schuh, Office and Sole. They are also available widely online though of course you will be also paying for delivery charges should you choose this option.

--Personal experience--

I have always found that when wearing a brand, spanking new pair of Converse, my feet get blistered and torn apart quite easily and they tend to rub until the shoe has "moulded" to fit your foot comfortably. This can be a drawback if you want shoes that you can wear straight away comfortably.

The second drawback is as I have mentioned, especially if the trainers are a light colour, they will get muddy easily and once they are soaked through with water from rain or puddles or anything, they will take all day to dry out!

A benefit of Converse trainers is the thick sole which is comfortable for walking. This sole is difficult to get holes in and the reason I chucked my last pair out eventually was not to do with the sole of the shoe, but rather the canvas just above the sole which eventually ripped but this was mainly because they were a very well used shoe and shoes can't last forever! So for durability (asides the mud & rain negative) I would rate them pretty highly.

Though they are a baseball shoe, I wouldn't wear these for exercise but they have been my main shoe for leisure in the past, having worn them pretty much everyday!

--Fashion?--

Widely regarded as a stylish and fashionable shoe, I really like the look of Converse shoes. They come initially with the standard laces but of course you have the option to customise your shoes which I did through changing the laces to a gorgeous flowery design which I picked up from Accessorize!

--Verdict--

Stylish shoe, with a few drawbacks regarding the weather. Robust shoe suitable for leisure activity.

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5 stars

I have worn Converse shoes of various designs for years now. The Converse brand is very well known in the UK and although their shoes are probably not considered as high fashion any more, I think they are a standard look that will stand the test of time.

As the name, hi top, suggests these shoes come up higher on the leg than a normal trainer. Where normal trainers stop below the ankle, these shoes come above it. This gives a unique look to this type of shoe. I feel that the extra support over the ankle also makes these shows really comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I can be on my feet all day in these and they are still comfortable. Saying this though, I do feel you have to "wear them in". However once you have wore them for a while, you will not want to wear any other shoes as your feet feel so at home!

The shoes themselves are the same as any of the converse range. They have a rubber toe and sole and thick rubber sidewall before meeting the main canvas of the shoe. With visible stitching, on my pair, these shoes look really good and you can see that they are well made. You can get these shoes in so many colour and pattern choices that even though they are a popular shoe you can still make yourself stand out from the crowd by going for an obscure colour or pattern.

A downside with canvas shoes such as these is that they really provide no protection from water. So if you're out and about in heavy rain or accidently stand in a big puddle, then prepare to get wet feet!

These shoes last quite a while, I've had a few pairs over the years but usually have worn them constantly for ages before they've started to look shabby.

These shoes are priced at between £35 and £45 in most shoe shops I have seen. If you shop around you could get a good deal but with so many different colour combinations on offer, most shops only stock a few so it depends what ones you prefer.

In conclusion these shoes are well worth 5 stars and I would recommend them to anyone.

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I would recommend this!

I bought my first pair of converse about 8 years ago and have loved them ever since. I have had many pairs in many colours and print. One of the best things about them is the range of colours that are offered and you can even design your own on the converse website so you can find a pair to go with any outfit. The rubber sole means that they are non slip and the insole inside is slightly padded so they are really comfortable. You can lace them all the way up or only lace them half way if you want them slightly looser. The canvas material means they are breathable and your feet don't get too hot in warm weather. They are very much in fashion and celebs are often seen in magazines wearing these. They are quite reasonably priced at around £30 meaning you can get the celeb look without spending too much money. They last for ages and I have several pairs across the years that have seen a fair bit of abuse and when they get too dirty, you can chuck them in the washing machine and they come out looking like new so they are really good value!

The only disadvantage is that as the main material is canvas, they aren't really water proof. The sole is quite thick so they are fine for walking in the rain or whatever but I have found myself suffering from wet and uncomfortable feet after stepping in a few deep puddles. They are also quite difficult to get on and off as you have to loosen them to get your feet out each time.

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A shoe staple for many

I'm sure most people are familiar with the look of Converse shoes as they are a fashion staple for so many people. If you look down at people's feet on the average high street you will see plenty of pairs of these walking around - especially on teens and people in their 20s and 30s - so they are hardly the most unique shoe! However, they are available in lots of different colours and designs which do enable you to get a bit of your personality across if that is important to you. For me, uniqueness is not that important to me when it comes to a casual shoe. Although I have worn a few pairs of bold, bright Converse with designs on in the past, I generally prefer the plainer ones such as black, navy and grey as they go with pretty much anything. I currently have a pair of black hi tops which are quite old and battered, and a pink flowery pair which I don't wear as often.

The shape and design of the shoe is very simple, with a fairly chunky sole, canvas upper which is laced up and usually has visible stitching, and a rubber toe. The hi tops have the style of basketball boots, so the canvas material continues just over the ankle, and they tie around the ankle. This has the advantage of making them very secure on your feet if you do tie them up. I have quite narrow ankles and find that some shoes slip on my ankles, but that never happens with these. However, they do take a bit longer to put on and off my feet than the lo top Converse, as you have to slightly manoeuvre your feet into them and can't just slip them on and off.

I do prefer the appearance of the low tops and find them more attractive, but that is obviously just a matter of personal taste. When I wear hi tops, I usually just wear them with jeans as I think they go great with jeans. However a lot of people wear these shoes with anything. I think they look okay with skirts only on some people - personally hi tops and a skirt makes my legs look chubby so I steer clear. It is a look that is not easy to pull off! Some also wear them with shorts and tights, which I think looks a bit perculiar, but I suppose each to their own. People have even been known to wear Converse hi tops with their wedding dress so they are quite versatile!

The best thing about these shoes and the reason why I have bought so many pairs of Converse over the years is the fact that they are so comfy. I can be a bit fussy when it comes to shoes and I have found that some trainers and sneakers rubbed at the ankle, squashed my toes or caused the arches of my feet to hurt when worn for long periods of walking. I don't have any problems like that with Converse so I know that I can rely on them if I am going to be doing a lot of walking. They fit me very well and can be tied tightly enough so that they don't slip at the ankle. Although they are a canvas shoe they don't feel flimsy to wear, because the sole is quite thick and sturdy. I have hiked mountain trails in Converse and they have been fine on rocky terrains (although obviously proper mountain boots would have been better!) I don't really feel limited about what I can do when wearing them.

I find Converse shoes to be quite hardwearing for this style of shoe. I get a lot of use out of mine and often wear the same pair nearly every day for months. I expect to get about 18 months out of each pair of Converse and they often remain in very good condition for much longer than that. I find that after about 18 months the sole can slightly start to lose its grip, making the sole become a little bit slippery so that I can occasionally find myself sliding a bit in the rain or on slippery surfaces. One black pair I had eventually got a split in the sole which started to let water in after about 2 years of use but I had definitely got my money's worth from them by that point! Often I find the first sign of wear and tear is that the white bit on the sides starts to slightly crack near the widest part of my feet, or the inside heel material starts to rub away, revealing the rubber behind the canvas upper. As most of the uppers are only canvas, you can end up with slightly wet feet if you go out in them in torrential rain or start jumping in puddles, but they are fine in normal showery weather in my experience.

The prices of Converse hi tops can vary a lot depending on the colour, design, where you buy them and any promotions that are on. I was in Office today in Reading and noticed that most of the hi tops were around £40-45, but you can often find them cheaper online.

Overall I would definitely recommend Converse hi tops as an easy to wear shoe, which is comfy, durable and looks nice but personally I prefer the lo tops look and the fact they are quicker to take on and off.

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Excellent all round sneaks

I got my first Chuck Taylor Hi Tops for going on holiday when I was 16. I've always loved Converse and have had a variety of different Converse shoes over the years. My Chuck Taylors are one of my favourites because I have really small feet so I struggle to make some shoes stay on. These, however, do because they are Hi-Tops.

~~~ Intro ~~~

My decision to buy Chucks was because they are made of soft, comfortable and breathable canvas. Ideal for warmer climates. I chose the turquoise colour although I now also have red and purple.

Converse Hi-Tops have a very distinctive look. They were originally designed to hook the basketball market so they have become the quintessential basketball shoe. They have the Converse all stars logo on the inside ankle of each shoe and are usually always brightly coloured canvas with white laces, a white toe and sole, although variations are available!

~~~ My Experience ~~~My Chuck Taylors turned out to be one of the best purchases I ever made. I took them on holiday and had them on all day every day. We did a lot of walking around in Barcelona and surrounding areas. It was enough to reduce my mum's feet to blisters. However, my feet were safe and comfy in my Chucks. They were worn on the beach in sand, in the water; walking around dusty streets etc and they were fine! I put them in the washing machine and they came out good as new, no stains, no smell, just perfectly comfortable and fresh shoes!

As you will probably know, lots of whiny teenagers decide to wear Converse along with skinny jeans and checked shits. Please don't let this put you off a really great shoe! They were originally an athletic shoe and the comfort and diversity of uses for them just shows that.

After my first experience of Converse High tops on holiday, I decided to invest in a second pair, this time in red. One of the things I love about my high tops is that they really "hug" your feet and ankles. Your ankles are lightly supported and feel secure and cared for. I have tiny feet (a uk 2.5) and they are very narrow. I really struggle to find shoes that fit and are comfortable; however, these really do the trick. I usually buy my Converse either 1 size or half a size smaller than my usual size. My Chuck Taylors are a uk 2 and they fit perfectly. I think perhaps Converse make their shoes slightly longer and narrower. This means that as long as I get a smaller size, their fit my feet in length AND width... a rare occurrence.

I think it is always wise to try on Converse before you buy them as they are not in the same dimensions as other shoes so you'll need to make sure they fit your own feet well.

~~~ Product info ~~~Chuck Taylor All-stars are made from a canvas outer and a cotton inner - this means that the outside is hard weaning and fairly stain resistant, while the inside is soft, comfortable and breathable. They have a white edged brown rubber sole which has the converse logo on the bottom and provides a 1 inch thick, springy cushion to walk on.

Because the shoes are made of canvas they are not waterproof, however you can always spray them with a waterproofing spray which will make them lightly waterproof, however, they hold up really well in wet weather, yes your feet will get wet, but it doesn't ruin the shoes!

You can get Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Tops from Amazon UK for between £24 and £70.99. Bizarre price range! You can also get them from places like Sports Direct, Schuh and JJB. I would advise you to check out the website at https://www.converse.co.uk/ for a wide range of Converse shoes.

~~~ Conclusion ~~~They are a great shoe to have in your cupboard for the summer due to their light, breathable material and they are always comfy and dependable. Although I am not big on brands, this is one brand that I will always buy. No other sneakers are as comfortable, well fitting and durable as good old Converse Chuck Taylors. Some lesser brands of Hi Tops can tend to split or come apart at the seams where the ankle bends. They also tend to be made of lower quality material than converse and this can lead to split soles and fraying laces as well as stained fabric. If you are going for Hi Tops, always get Converse!

Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Tops are an excellent, high quality basketball shoe or sneaker. They are great for general wear, walking and sports. They do not have the cushioning and impact resistance of other sports trainers but for general sports they are fine. They are also comfortable and stylish to wear with jeans and great all round shoes (I would wear them under my wedding dress if I could get away with it!)

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a shoe that will never be out of fashion

I still remember the day I wanted to start wearing converse and that was when I started listening to my punk rock music at the age of ten. Seeing Tom Delonge and Billy-Joe wearing these bad boys really made me want to as well, at that age we just copy what we see and so I pestered my parents about having some but the answer was always no. I remember when I did manage to get some though, I was the age of eleven and we was on holiday and there was an alternate punk shop and I dragged my parents in there, luckily I came out with my first pair of black and pink hi-top converse, happy days.

I've had a black and pink pair, these were the standard black with a pink thick stripe up the back of them and in the last 9 years I've had a couple of black hi-tops too. Converse are essentially baseball shoes, a young player mr.chuck taylor was so impressed with the shoes that he decided to wear them as normal shoes. Converse hired Chuck Taylor as a spokesperson and took onboard a lot of his ideas for improving the shoe.

When I was younger it seemed that only alternate people wore these shoes and with that of course came the bullying with what we were wearing including the shoes and yet with every passing year you'll see these more and more as "ordinary" people of all ages start to wear the classic Converse. You can literally find these in anywhere that stocks shoes these days, and the price does vary when I was younger these were £50+ these days what with student discounts and all you can usually get these down to £30 or even £25 if there is a sale on. Although there are certainly a lot of copy cat brands when it comes to the baseball shoe, you can see some rip offs which have no branding, longsdale and a few others which can range for £5 upwards, to me it's not about price it's about quality and that is what you get with Converse and not the others.

There isn't any other way for me to describe this shoe other than a baseball boot, they are a unisex shoe and range from all colours from patterns to the darkest black shade. You can buy these in the original chunky style or a slim line style and these are still unisex no matter the shape. The Converse hi-tops are manufactured with a canvas top and this has been the main style ever since although you can buy leather ones now too. The rest of the shoe is thick sturdy rubber. The sole is also made of a thick sturdy rubber which is generously thick allowing you to walk comfortably over uneven surfaces or stones for a long period of time. The sole is flexible allowing you to bend your feet with ease and not be in a stiff shoe. The grip on the bottom of the shoe wears down quickly making these a no no for the ice and snow, plus this would all soak through the material on top anyway, which I made the mistake of doing once, coldest feet in the world on that day.

Overall I will never leave one of my favorite shoe brands they last a long time without any where or tear, hey mine have lasted through many rough concerts and mosh pits including festivals, I always took a pair on hi-tops along for the ride when I went to see a band just because you could tie them up tight so they won't come off, they look great with most items of clothing whether you're a girly girl or not.

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When I was younger, I went through that stage of wearing vans, etnies and converses. All my pocket money would go on the new trainers displayed in Treds. Converses were high up on my list of favourites. I bought 3 different pairs of converses. The ones I wore the most were my red ones. I felt they were the best show off ones as they were bright and very eye catching

Although they were a big pain to get on, I mean that in many senses of the words. They were very irritating and took a lot of time. He always crushed my feet while getting them on. Very strange at they are so comfortable when on. They seem to mould the shape of your feet and surprisingly don't give you blisters. They do look like they would rub but they don't.

My favourite thing about converses is the massive range of style that it comes in. Plain and coloured, chequered, swirls etc. I even have a pair that's just full of smiley faces. You can really give your look something unique and as there are so many, it's rare that you will come across someone else in the same ones. That is of course if you are not going for the original black colour.

I would recommend these for anyone looking for something new, cool and comfy

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iconic baseball shoes - I just wish they lasted a bit longer

I'm a big fan of Converse hi-tops. I've had numerous pairs over the years and will definitely continue to buy more. I much prefer the hi-top style (the baseball boot style) to the lo-top style (the trainer style), for me personally I think that the hi-tops give more support than the lo-tops. Another quirky reason that I prefer the hi-tops is that it actually doesn't matter what colour socks you wear with them, or even if your socks are not actually a matching pair as you can't see them anyway!

Lots of places sell Converse; Office, Shuh, Amazon, House of Fraser etc. I normally buy mine from House of Fraser to get points on my recognition card and I also tend to buy them on House of Frasers 25% off days to save a little bit of money, or from Office as they normally always have some colours in the sale. Normally I'm not too bothered about the colour as long as it will go with most things, I've had khaki, charcoal, navy, stars & stripes, and various patterned Converse that happened to be on sale. I currently have my eye on a Superman or a Batman themed pair, both of which I've seen in Office, and which are currently £51.99. The regular price for the plain colours is £41.99, but you can usually pick up a pair in the sale for around £25.00

Converse are so comfortable, I can wear them all day and I can walk for miles and miles in them and my feet do not hurt at all. I practically live in mine, they are ideal for day to day wear, sightseeing on holidays, anything really. As they are a canvas upper I find that they are perfect for summer as they don't seem to make my feet as hot as trainers can do. However the opposite to this is that in winter if it's especially cold then I don't really find Converse to be warm enough for my feet. The rubber sole is really comfortable, however I don't find that it has an awful lot of grip in wet slippery conditions.

Sizing wise, I have wide feet and I find that Converse fit me perfectly, I normally buy a size 5 in shoes and a size 5 in Converse is perfect. I don't even try them on anymore when I buy them as I know that they will fit well. They even fit around my chunky ankles!

My only issue with Converse is that they do not seem to last well, or to wear well. They do get shabby quite quickly - this bit I can live with as it adds to that lived in grungy look that suits Converse. However, I do find that they do get to the point where they need replacing very quickly, they don't stand up to an awful lot of use. This may well just be me, maybe I'm actually quite heavy footed! This certainly doesn't put me off them though, I just buy a new pair when they need replacing, they are reasonably priced anyway, and you can always get them on sale somewhere if you are not too bothered about your choice of colour.

My current pair has actually probably lasted the least amount of time, just over a year and the canvas upper has come away in a couple of places from the rubber sole. Hence why I've got my eye on a new pair.

I've knocked them down to 4 stars for the fact that they do need replacing fairly often, if not for that then they would get a resounding 5 stars.

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Colourful, trendy shoes but not made for rainy days

It's is impressive that these shoes have been fashionable for decades and they still are today. They are widely available these days and come in all sorts of styles and colours. I have four pairs of converse high tops in various colours. Personally I think that the hi-tops look the best and feel more comfortable as they support your ankle a bit more. They look good and although they are a popular brand, they are much more stylish than trainers.

They can be a bit time consuming to get on and take off again as you have to loosen most of the laces to give you enough space to get your foot in and out. They are not even remotely waterproof so avoid puddles or you will get a soggy foot. I have a pair or orange ones which I got a bit wet and muddy so I had to clean them and the colour faded and has never been as vibrant since which is a bit of a shame.

Also, although you may only ever try on one size, you can find that some of them fit nicely whilst others pinch the little toe on one foot for example, so even if you already own a pair, still try on any new ones in the shop as they are all slightly different and might feel different on your feet. The double-tongue variety come with 2 sets of laces (black and white usually) so you can keep a spare, alternate or double lace each shoe.

These are not the sort of shoes you want to be walking for miles in or wearing on a rainy day so, to be honest, they are not really that practical, but they are good for casual wear and of course they look great.